Whatever Happened to... 2023 Panini Instant "NBA DRAFT"

[Stat Monsters]

I noticed this year, Panini Instant (Panini's online exclusive direct to consumer brand) didn't do their typical Draft Night release of cards.

Yet, Topps managed to do something, 'tho limited and not NFL licensed, with the some of the top picks with their Topps Now online exclusive brand.

What's going on with Panini and Wemby? Did Topps / Fanatics sign him as an exclusive? Topps has him in their Bowman Now set as well as in the Topps Now, including an autographed card.

Even Leaf somehow is avoiding Wemby and Leaf usually disregards licenses, but went with Miller and Scoot today, at the #2 and #3 pickes, but avoided the #1 Wemby.

[KhalDrogo]

If Wemby signed with the NBPA, Panini has the right to produce his cards.

[ninjacookies]

Give it a few months.


Bowman did the same thing with football this year. Were the first to market, then Panini slowly started flooding with their own collegiate stuff 3-4 months later...with the same top draft picks.

There's absolutely no way to tell if Wemby is a Topps exclusive right now. Way too early unless Topps releases an official statement (trust me, they'll make it well known).

[Stat Monsters]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

If Wemby signed with the NBPA, Fanatics has the right to produce his cards.

THANKS!

This could be insightful information where Wemby then can only have cards released by Fanatics via their TOPPS brand, yet it can't be in an NBA Uniform? However, Panini with the NBA license is shut out from using Wemby? Therefore relegating all of Wemby's rookie season cards to be Topps out of uniform cards (much like the 1990's "Classic Games" cards of decades ago)?

I partially want to see this only because there's only so many cards that Topps can produce and it'll be nice to see how this evolves and Panini shut out (they make way too many products and misdelivers a majority of their releases).

I heard Topps (Fantatics) are pursuing the NBA license, so it's only a matter of time before they get back into the NBA trading card game.

I really miss Upper Deck being a player in pro sports trading cards, it seems they only do NHL stuff and are pushing their digital brands.

[baseballbunez]

Originally Posted by Stat Monsters

THANKS!

This could be insightful information where Wemby then can only have cards released by Fanatics via their TOPPS brand, yet it can't be in an NBA Uniform? However, Panini with the NBA license is shut out from using Wemby? Therefore relegating all of Wemby's rookie season cards to be Topps out of uniform cards (much like the 1990's "Classic Games" cards of decades ago)?

I partially want to see this only because there's only so many cards that Topps can produce and it'll be nice to see how this evolves and Panini shut out (they make way too many products and misdelivers a majority of their releases).

I heard Topps (Fantatics) are pursuing the NBA license, so it's only a matter of time before they get back into the NBA trading card game.

I really miss Upper Deck being a player in pro sports trading cards, it seems they only do NHL stuff and are pushing their digital brands.

Believe Khal misspoke, if Wemby is in the NBPA then PANINI has the rights to produce his cards. Topps does NOT have NBPA licensing so they need to have individual deals with players for image use (for the time being, until licenses roll over!).

I believe the lack of draft night cards are due to many players not agreeing to image use deals with Panini, therefore we have to wait until they sign their pro contract (which joins them to NBPA) at which point Panini can use their images wearing pro uniforms. Generic suit with a Spurs hat doesn't scream pro licensing, so I have to imagine that is playing the major role here we're seeing with the delays on the "instant" lines

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by baseballbunez

Believe Khal misspoke, if Wemby is in the NBPA then PANINI has the rights to produce his cards. Topps does NOT have NBPA licensing so they need to have individual deals with players for image use (for the time being, until licenses roll over!).

I believe the lack of draft night cards are due to many players not agreeing to image use deals with Panini, therefore we have to wait until they sign their pro contract (which joins them to NBPA) at which point Panini can use their images wearing pro uniforms. Generic suit with a Spurs hat doesn't scream pro licensing, so I have to imagine that is playing the major role here we're seeing with the delays on the "instant" lines

Yes, my bad on the typo. Thank you for correcting.

All of what you said is correct. And I’ll add that nobody opts out of the NBPA.

[Asian62150]

The weird thing is, Panini has been on top of these draft night cards for a few years now.

And with the Wemby hype machine chugging along, you'd think they have their ducks in a row ready to produce cards.

I think 1-2 years ago they even had the players go over to a mini Panini photo shoot right after they were drafted.

[WaiverWire]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

The weird thing is, Panini has been on top of these draft night cards for a few years now.

And with the Wemby hype machine chugging along, you'd think they have their ducks in a row ready to produce cards.

I think 1-2 years ago they even had the players go over to a mini Panini photo shoot right after they were drafted.

Panini used to be more aggressive at signing deals with the best players before the draft. Now I think they are mostly trying to overprint boring old designs while they still have a license.

[casebreaksllc]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

The weird thing is, Panini has been on top of these draft night cards for a few years now.

And with the Wemby hype machine chugging along, you'd think they have their ducks in a row ready to produce cards.

I think 1-2 years ago they even had the players go over to a mini Panini photo shoot right after they were drafted.

they did that this year, there are videos on social media, they even give them their first ever trading card with pro logo - but wemby was absent from all of these promotions it seems.

links
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